Ready to quit

[Mmsetta]

Please give me words of encouragement. I cant't keep my fish alive. First I lost 2 clowns. Kept the damsel alive. But, took damsel out of tank and added two new clowns along with a pink spotted goby. Now, within a week the goby died and one of the clowns. The second clown does not look good. He has a large discoloration (brown) down its side. It is an ocellaris clown.

38g up since mid November. 30 lbs live rock, live sand. Running skimmer, hot magnum and a powerhead.

For this round of fish I turned temp down to 76. It was at 80 and I suspected that May have killed my clowns previously.

All water parameters are good (ammonia, nitrite and nitrate at 0). My salinity was inflated to .028. I have fixed that now it is at .024. Could it have been the inflated salinity?


The goby was eating too, looked fine, then dead this morning. The clowns both had that dark mark on thei side. One still alive. Ho pining salinity will help.

Any ideas, experiences?

 

[GHill762]

hmm... well don't give up, most people have lost fish at one point or another, especially on their first tank.

80*f and 1.028 specific gravity didn't kill your fish.

do you have pics of the dark marks? that may help..

 

[Aqua fire/medic]

When you say your fish died...... What were the signs and symptoms. Heavy breathing, no appetite, awkward swimming etc.? Don't give in yet, this is an amazing community and hobby. I'm sure we can figure this out.

 

[Mmsetta]

So the first set of clowns that died were fine for about a week or so. They even went thru a period of establishing dominance. Then, they were breathing heavy and staying near the top of the water. Then died.

This last clown and the goby did not seems to be struggling at all. The goby was eating flake food. Saw the clowns nip at some flakes, but never actually wen to the surface to eat. Jut nipped at what was floating by. The clowns stayed low in the tank and just swam in one spot into the current of my powerhead. Did not appear to be breathing heavy.

The only symptom on the clown was that discoloration on its left side. It started as a little spot, then grew to a large portion of his left side. The clown that is still alive has the same discoloration now.

 

[JLight]

I'd check the source of your fish. Can't keep fish alive if they're getting to you unhealthy!

 

[Katesreef]

Don't give up!!! There are many experts on this forum and they will help you figure it out. Was this a used tank, rock, or sand that you bought from someone else? What kind of sand? You'll love this hobby once everything is working right and the fish aren't dying. I can't seem to stay out of my fish room! Started with 1 tank and now have 3. Do you buy your fish at the same place every time? Have you asked the person you buy them from what could be happening? Are there any dead fish in their tanks? Again, don't give up! Take care and keep your head up.

 

[HiddenUser]

Dont give up! What kind of test kits are you using? Have you tried a second set of tests (different brand) to confirm the water parameter results? I started using the API test kits and switched to Salifert due to the inaccuracy of the API kits I had.

Are you using RO/DI water or tap water? Something in the water source killing the fishes?

 

[Jimbo662]

Also a pic of the tank / equipment might help so we can see how you're set up.

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Tell us about your tank and equipment (specifically what are you using for flow?). Also, what are you using for making water (RODI, tap, well, etc.)? Don't give up, bud. We can help!

 

[Connie]

Hang in there. the others are right. All of our heads put together can figure out the problem. If your ammonia reading is anything other than zero, it's too high.

 

[Mmsetta]

Now the second clown is swimming on the bottom of the tank and looks to be struggling to breath

 

[JLight]

Tell us about your tank and equipment (specifically what are you using for flow?). Also, what are you using for making water (RODI, tap, well, etc.)? Don't give up, bud. We can help!

Yeah didn't think of the flow idea. Maybe your water is oxygen deprived. Could definitely take some fish out.

 

[Mmsetta]

As far as source, got two from one source and two from another. Both lfs but large ones. I asked a couple of people at both who were browsing and seemed to be vets and they said they never had issues with either shop

 

[Mmsetta]

As far As rock, I started with 10lbs cured live and 25 lb dry Marco rocks. I will post Picts of everything. I did add a few rocks I pulled out of the ocean in cancun. You will see them scattered on the sand bed. I soaked these in white vinegar and boiled them 3x before starting my tank. I converted the tank from fresh and vinegared the entire thing. Brand new magnum. Brand new fluval powerhead. Used seaclone 100 (I know not the best, but does pull up some serious scum, took about. Month to start workin).

 

[Mmsetta]

 

[Mmsetta]

 

[McAllyn]

When it was freshwater, did you ever treat with copper? We're there goldfish in the tank?

Mac

 

[Mmsetta]

Using API nitrite and nitrate test kits. Red Sea amonia. Rodi water from lfs- have used foe three different stores just in case. Also, brought water to two lfs to test and all same parameters

 

[Mmsetta]

No goldfish no copper

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Have you tested your phosphates?